A scholar of Indian descent, S. Paul Kapur has been nominated by President Trump to the position of Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia. While he is well-known for his support of US-India cooperation, Kapur is also recognized for his critical views of Pakistan. His appointment coincides with the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States and implies a change in American attention towards New Delhi.
The use of “Islamist militancy as statecraft” by Pakistan has damaged the country’s economy and intensified tensions with India, according to Kapur, a fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution and a professor at the United States Naval Postgraduate School. His confirmation by the Senate could have a chilling effect on US policy toward Islamabad, leading to less cooperation on economic and security issues and possibly harsher measures overall.
According to experts, this shift could have an impact on US stances on delicate subjects like Kashmir and financial assistance. This could lead to further diplomatic and economic isolation for Pakistan; therefore, the country will need to rethink its approach.
Kapur will be taking over for Donald Lu, while Eric Meyer is filling in for the time being. Pakistan would face new obstacles in navigating its relations with Washington as a result of his appointment, which is anticipated to further strengthen the US-India relationship.
